THE struggle of prisoners to win conditions compatible coming loud and prisoners themselves and from the National H Although the possibility oi a new hunger doubt that the prisoners feel that the British broken the made Wilcil the hunger British Army in 1798 (below)
Socialist Challenge Irish Republican clear the Block/Armagh Committee in Blocks of Long Kesh and Armagh ended just before Xmas.
In a statement smuggled The prisoners accused the prison authorities of failing os carry out the British invaders: Cromwell (above), and the 8 January 1981 reiorus odicy: promiser by Tory Secretary of State Hamphrey statement warns that should Dillall sugere use brisoners will ne forced to fall back upon our This implies that the DESUNCIS stepping up their campaign, but last week's warning by occ wilnarawil.
Yet there is no doub that many of the prisoners are bitter about the THE first ITV's The Troubles was shown on evening. series awaited eagerly for two years by those in the know.
The personnel responsible for the series have, in other roles, some of the best and most radical documentares have hit the small screen. These include an excellent historical series on Palestine and some of the more honest "This Omissions Bearing that in mind the first episode of The Trouble was disappointing.
makers tried to cram in too much almost 300 years in just over thạt, there were even a mention 1867 Fenian Rising to which Robert Kee's rival BBC episode. there are however. com pensations in this whistle-stop Tullie "through three turies of Irish history. time is available for dealing with recent times, episodes, which have already riveting.
Factual Back though British nastiness towards the Irish. On that the programme difficulty arose when quest began to deal with the Irish themselves.
within series beginning Ireland is employed picture of the Catholic priest saylil: table mass. shots Other Orangemen Republicans marching, and a Protestant minister doing his religious bit What all this tends to sug gest, and it is re-inforced Issue at me weekeno ovan National H Block/Armagl Committee tension and frustration and there are reports that 'Blanket' prisoners in Long Kesh are • Wilca with their wash' protest appears that issues remain unresolved First Britain insists that Tinf Republican prisoners protest The Republicans . al suc Its promíses immediatel: second the prisoners episode of Monday Thus began a which has been 5 produced television ever to Week' programmes on Perhaps because the filmepisode omissions: of the series whole . cenMore commentary, divisions in and cersecond and third screened privately are described at one indeed. justify his to episode 'Conquest"
'ConNevertheless that right: that the •CUl cliche about sente the prime predicfollowed marching, It English cemano mar une Varons verbal promises made by the Britisb government be made , luc wcar the statement that 'ended the Humphrey Atkins said that their could "düring wcal VISITS' but that type clothing' issued by prison authorities would be *during 'tne workne day' meant, said Atkins, that 'denim uniform becomes a thing of ine past tor all prisoners But at the moment ihe Twentieth century invaders: Black and Tans (above) and the British Army in 1969 (below)
that Thus Oliver Cromwell's expedition to Ireland, while rightly conexposed, In fact while Cromwell did actions mE religious terms, his attempt to settle the Irish question had much deeper "Conquest' did get the main-story-line basis of what Irish people call the troubles'", English kings, queens, generals and that they ing should be master in the Irish should is also excellent that Ireland is explained, for the onial exploitation: the word class" pops up time and time authorities telling they wear susi before permission :clotnes will be given, Even if this problem is sorted out it is possible that Republicans ca.to wear the prison-Issut civilan-sive they would continue refuse.
The other issues that led to have been resolved. definition Work will de so broad asig allow the prisoners to decide what 'work' they undertake the again in The Troubles.
The second episode, dealpartition and on next nissed ay, be missed.
which the first episode not. Possibly this is because it covers only 30 years But what really brings it •and alive. is, the old newsree!
- and this would include The prisoners will also be allowed associate together to such an will be able organise politically. Fult remission of atensene menda de Brish ganen be freed But all this is dependent promises made at the end of the hunge originall agrees that reforms should be carried period has now elapsed, and the prisoners and their sup porters are still waiting. footage and the interviews ticipants in the events from wina wae range of 1916 to 1921. One interview in which a veteran of the IRA who fought in the War of In dependence, describes how he threw grenades at passing Army vehicles worth staying up until mid*night to see.
Decent There is no denying that, judging by what has been seen so far, The Troubles is mov ing relentiessly towards the conclusion that if Britain were to leave treland it would be only decent thing this country's rulers have ever done for the Irish.
So tell your friends to turn ITV every Monday al 10.30pm. And watch especially episode, dealing with the Nor and which stars one Michael Farrell revolutionary Marxist, historian member of Peoples Democracy.
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political status is far from over. This is the message which is now
the Derry branchi of the Na would start within two weeks, has now
political motivation. Class